This plan shows the new buildings and street layout in connection with the building of Westminster Bridge. The watermen had strongly opposed the project, but the growth of Westminster in the 18th century had made it necessary to find new means of crossing the river. The water men were paid £25,000 to compensate for the loss of earnings that the bridge would cause. Opened in 1750, it was replaced in 1862 by the present cast-iron bridge structure after problems with the original foundations were revealed.